Tim Goessman | Mlive.com
Saginaw Valley State University presidential finalist Brad Hodson, Pittsburg State University vice president for university advancement, speaks at Curtiss Hall at SVSU Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014. Hodson is one of the final four candidates for the job.Tim Goessman

KOCHVILLE TOWNSHIP, MI — Brad Hodson says he wants Saginaw Valley State University to be the best told story in higher education, not the best kept secret.

Hodson, Pittsburg State University vice president for university advancement, is one of four candidates for SVSU's presidency. Longtime President Eric Gilbertson will retire when his successor is in place.

Hodson explained his background and answered questions from students, faculty and staff members at an open forum on Thursday, Jan. 30. About 70 people attended.

The Missouri native has worked in public higher education for 20 years and said his skill set matches what SVSU needs. His ideas for SVSU include increasing student retention, increasing marketing, growing external relations and fundraising and ensuring student satisfaction.

In Michigan, SVSU is ranked 14 of 15 public universities in identification by students, he said. Increasing promotion and reaching students in new areas can help strengthen SVSU's brand, he said.

"You want to be the best told story," he said.

In his first several months at SVSU, Hodson said, he’d spend more time listening than talking. Hodson said he has an open-door policy and wants to collaborate with faculty, students and staff in every area of SVSU.

New presidents can be disruptive, he said, so he wouldn't come into SVSU and immediately implement changes, but take time to learn the university's current strategic plan and history.

Being in an institution for many years creates stability, but also can create biases, he said.

“Sometimes it’s good to be the new guy because you can ask questions other people can’t,” Hodson said. “Sometimes it’s good to have that fresh perspective.”

Relationships are key in higher education, Hodson said, which has been part of his career this far. That includes building relationships with legislators and people of the region. Those relationships take time but are ultimately worthwhile, he said.

He and his wife, Sue, and their four children, would be active members of the SVSU community and attend events from athletic events to poetry readings.

SVSU student Tyler Manning, 21, of Davison, had a chance to sit down with Hodson at a lunch with students where the group talked about student life — specifically making Greek life more about leadership.

Manning described Hodson as personable and approachable.

"He's open to suggestions," Manning said. "He has a great leadership style. It's about teamwork."

In the past three years, SVSU officials have determined the university has reached its right size with student enrollment at about 10,500 students after decades of growth. That change means SVSU has to measure success by different metrics such as completion rates and the quality of students, Hodson said.

“If you’ve grown for so many years, it’s hard not to expect it will continue. You have to reorient yourselves,” he said.

With the push from leaders to make higher education more career focused, Hodson said, it's important to remember the history of universities and their purpose.

A liberal arts education is key for students, he said, and prepares students more broadly to participate in democracy.

Hodson described arriving at Missouri Southern State University and the most valuable classes he took were outside of his economics major, such as music appreciation and art history.

“When I got to college, the whole world opened up to me,” he said.

Gretchen Mooningham, a math professor at SVSU, said Hodson is very articulate and a strong speaker, which is important for university presidents.

"We have three good candidates so far," she said. "Each one has strong points and stronger points."

Gayle Ormiston, the Marshall University senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, had his candidate forum on Wednesday, and SVSU Provost Donald Bachand had his forum on Thursday as well.

The final forum is for Neal Weaver, the vice president for institutional advancement at West Texas A&M University, at 4:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at SVSU's Curtiss Hall.

— Lindsay Knake covers education for MLive/The Saginaw News. Follow her on twitter or contact her at 989-372-2498 or lknake@mlive.com.